Father’s Day theme this week! Between the gift ideas (both homemade or eco-consciously purchased), and ideas that have you getting Dad out in nature somehow, we had fun exploring ideas for the father’s in our lives.

Whether your he loves sports, power tools, electronics, or just laying around, check out these great green ideas for putting a smile on Dad’s face. These awesome earphones for instance minimize the use of plastic and use bamboo instead and are state-of-the-art listening for the discerning dad. They also happen to be from our favorite trusted online green shopping site, buygreen.com, which has a mess of great eco-friendly gift ideas for dads with a variety of hobbies and interests. Read GD Gina’s post to find out more about these earphones and about the other 6 of her 7 eco-fabulous gift ideas!

Eco Ed Schwartz Fun father’s Day ideas

Eco Ed recommends going on an outing with dad. Does your father like the outdoors? If so, go hiking. Does he like the water? Yes? Then do water sports, scuba diving, etc. Does he like birds? Go on a birding walk. Find an activity that connects with Nature. What Ed has found, is that when people learn to appreciate something, then they tend to treat it with more respect . . . If Dad is a foodie, pick a good healthy restaurant with a creative sustainable flair.In terms of a gift, he recommends maybe an eco-friendly watch, like these from Na Hoku or We Wood. These watches come in a variety of types of wood like Mahogany, teak, coffee trees, gwayaco (Guaiaco), Indian Rosewood, or even Blackwood. Ed doesn’t usually give gratuitous plugs, so you these are special and you might want to check them out. WeWood uses fine, exotic woods, and plants a tree for each watch sold! (not that he’s looking for them to send him a dark brown or red sample to show off – wink, wink 😉Listen to Green Dude, Eco Ed’s great 5-minute podcast on having a thoughtful, eco-friendly Father’s Day!

GD Mizar’s DIY: Making Memory Coasters

GD Mizar has some great ideas to make coasters out of Dad’s favorite things. Sports logos, family pictures, funny moments, whatever he likes best. The key is to get something heavy enough that it sticks to the glass and stays down. The other key is to use Mod-Podge. Slather that on, let it dry between coats and it is instantly water proof. Use a little felt for the bottom. GD Mizar used some old bamboo floor boards that were left over from her kitchen installation. You could also use jar lids! Anything! There are a lot of ideas for whatever happens to be around the house. There is nothing like a homemade gift, and your Dad will always appreciate a gift from the heart. Read GD Mizar’s post on making DIY coasters out of old photos

Feature Interview: Patrick McDonnell, creator of Mutts comics

His own pets definitely had a hand … oops … paw in the creation of Mutts Comics. Many of his comic strips feature animal rights issues, like his regular feature Shelter Stories, which aims to help bring greater awareness to the many abandoned animals in need. Be on the lookout for his books, including a picture book about Jane Goodall. In September, his book Cat Crazy is coming out. Right now, however, he is writing a movie script, and we’re thinking that the Green Divas should be instrumental in taking Guard Dog off the chain. (Patrick, are you reading this?) Off the chain! This is now a new Green Diva mission. Every dog should have his day. Guard Dog is no exception. Please listen to this great Green Divas podcast featuring Patrick McDonnell!

Coming up . . . BIG show next week!

Fran Drescher

Fran Drescher is one busy lady! From her fun TV series, Happily Divorced to her amazing work with Cancer Schmancer, we are thrilled that she can take some time out to give us a call. If you have any questions for Fran, we would be happy to ask them for you. Please go to our Green Divas Radio Show facebook page and let us know what your question is and we’ll mention you and ask her for you!

AND

Rachelle Carson Begley

We have spoken to Rachelle’s husband Ed Begley, Jr. a few times, and while we love Ed, we always seem to talk about his gorgeous wife, Rachelle! Ed always says, “well, you should really talk to Rachelle . . . ” So, we are thrilled that we are finally going to get to speak to her! She’s been a Green Diva for as long as we have, and we have loved watching her and Ed on Living with Ed, and soon again in On Begley Street! They really are America’s green power couple. If you have any questions for Rachelle, we would be happy to ask them for you. Please go to our Green Divas Radio Show facebook page and let us know what your question is and we’ll mention you and ask her for you!

About the author /

Green Diva Gina (aka Gina Gioldassis) is fondly referred to as the “Happy” Booker & Foodie-Phile Editor. She was producing and hosting the Eco-Radio show at Drew University when we met her, and we were thrilled that she chose to come work with us after she graduated. Having been brought up in New Hampshire in a Greek family, she is a natural food explorer and enthusiastic green diva. Previously, she worked as a production intern for both WNYC's Soundcheck and New Hampshire Public Radio's All Thing's Considered. While not in the studio, she spends her time traveling, eating, doing yoga and working full-time as a finance writer. At the moment, aspires to one day master her grandmother's homemade doughnut recipe.